Multifunctional absorbents for oily pollution control and mechanistic insights with theoretical simulation

•For the first time, Salvia miltiorrhiza residues were converted into aerogels.•The maximum absorption ability of aerogels was achieved at 2 wt% DS-C.•SDS-A-2 exhibited high adsorption ability (25–105 g/g) and a fast adsorption rate.•Microscale adsorption mechanisms revealed through molecular simulation.•The aerogel showed stable hydrophobicity and resistance to friction and corrosion.